Correct option is D
Given:
Edge of each cube = 8 cm
Three identical cubes are joined to form a cuboid.
Formula Used:
Total Surface Area of a cube =
Total Surface Area of a cuboid = 2(lb + bh + hl)
Solution:
Surface area of 1 cube = 6 × = 6 × 64 = 384 sq. cm.
Sum of surface areas of 3 separate cubes = 3 × 384 = 1152 sq. cm.
When joined end to end, the dimensions of the cuboid formed are:
Length (l) = 8 + 8 + 8 = 24 cm
Breadth (b) = 8 cm
Height (h) = 8 cm
Surface area of the cuboid = 2(24 × 8 + 8 × 8 + 8 × 24)
Surface area = 2(192 + 64 + 192)
Surface area = 2(448) = 896 sq. cm.
Decrease in surface area = 1152 - 896 = 256 sq. cm.
Percentage decrease = × 100
Percentage decrease = × 100 = 22.222...%
Rounded off to two decimal places = 22.22%
Final Answer
So the correct answer is (d)